Core Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

These standards are for all lay ecclesial ministers, including coordinators of youth ministry/youth ministry leaders.

Find the complete list of competency standards in the book available from NFCYM's online store.

1. Personal and Spiritual Maturity: A lay ecclesial minister demonstrates personal and spiritual maturity in ministry with the people of God.
2. Lay Ecclesial Ministry Identity: A lay ecclesial minister identifies the call to formal and public ministry as a vocation rooted in baptism.
3. Roman Catholic Theology: A lay ecclesial minister integrates knowledge of Roman Catholic faith within ministry.
4. Pastoral Praxis: A lay ecclesial minister engages in pastoral activity that promotes evangelization, faith formation, community, and pastoral care with sensitivity to diverse situations.
5. Professional Practice: A lay ecclesial minister provides effective leadership, administration, and service, in the spirit of collaboration.

Specialized Competencies for the Youth Ministry Leader

NFCYM has published a self-assessment workbook for youth ministry leaders which includes the Lay Ecclesial Minister Core Competencies and the Specialized Competencies for the Youth Ministry Leader. The book is available from NFCYM's online store.

The competencies for the youth ministry leader all fall under Core Certification Standard Four: Pastoral Praxis. The youth ministry leader demonstrates competency in the following areas. The youth ministry leader shall:

• 4.7 YML Demonstrate an understanding of the history, vision, goals, themes, and components of Catholic youth ministry as outlined in the U.S. bishops’ pastoral plan and related church documents.
• 4.8 YML Utilize theories, models, processes and methods of Catholic youth ministry.
• 4.9 YML Demonstrate an understanding of adolescent developmental needs within the contexts of youth and popular cultures.
• 4.10 YML Model for and collaborate wit the faith community in implementing the components of Catholic youth ministry by:
  • 4.10.1 Utilizing the aims, principles, processes, and methods of adolescent catechesis in implementing adolescent faith formation.
  • 4.10.2 Facilitating the development of community among youth, families, church and society.
  • 4.10.3 Inviting young people into intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and empowering them to live and witness as disciples in today’s world.
  • 4.10.4 Engaging youth in the social mission of the church in accord with Catholic social teaching.
  • 4.10.5 Enabling healing, growth and healthy development of youth in their relationships.
  • 4.10.6 Enabling young people to celebrate and deepen their relationship with the Triune God through individual and communal prayer and participation in the liturgical life of the church.
  • 4.10.7 Engaging the church and broader community in voicing and addressing the rights and needs of youth.
  • 4.10.8 Affirming and calling forth the gifts of youth and adult leaders and providing opportunities for their ongoing spiritual and leadership development.
• Note: Since all coordinators of youth ministry are catechetical leaders, they need to pay attention to the specialized competencies for parish catechetical leaders.

Read More about the Standards

National Certification Standards: A Perspective From the Field

by Barb Legere, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
St. John the Evangelist, Spencerport, NY